Canarian wrestling loses one of its most emblematic figures in Lanzarote. Ignacio 'Senso' Morales, known as the Pollo de La Vegueta, passed away on Saturday, July 4, at the age of 78 after a long illness.
Ignacio 'Senso' Morales Acosta, the historic fighter known as the Pollo de La Vegueta, died on Saturday, July 4, at the age of 78 in Tinajo, Lanzarote. His death leaves an indelible void in the world of Canarian wrestling, a sport to which he dedicated more than five decades of his life.
The funeral was held the following day at the San Roque church in Tinajo, and he was later buried in the municipal cemetery. Dozens of fans and fellow wrestlers gathered to bid farewell to someone who was a pillar of the Tinajo Wrestling Club.
A life linked to the wrestling arena since 1966
Morales began his sporting career in 1966, the same year the Tinajo Wrestling Club was founded. From the outset, he was part of a generation that propelled the growth of this traditional sport on the island, becoming a reference for new generations of wrestlers.
Those who shared the wrestling arena with him highlight his strength, skill, and nobility, values that marked his fighting style and his behaviour outside the ring. His nickname, Pollo de La Vegueta, resonated for decades in the wrestling arenas of Lanzarote and beyond.
For the residents of Tinajo and the island's fans, his figure was synonymous with dedication and passion for Canarian wrestling. Whenever the Tinajo Wrestling Club is mentioned, Senso's name appears as one of its founders and mainstays.
Recognition for a lifelong career
His contribution to the local sport was recognised in 2016, when he received the Cachorro de Honor award from the Order of the Cachorro Canario de Lanzarote. This entity, dedicated to preserving the traditions of the archipelago, sought to highlight his decades-long connection with Canarian wrestling.
The award was a deserved tribute to a man who dedicated his life to keeping alive one of the most deeply rooted identities of the Canary Islands. Canarian wrestling is not just a sport, but a cultural symbol, and Morales was one of its most beloved ambassadors.
With his passing, the Tinajo Wrestling Club loses one of its historic figures, but his legacy remains in every wrestling arena on the island. New generations of wrestlers grow up hearing stories of fighters like him, who defended the sport with pride and humility.
Ignacio Morales is survived by his wife, Teresita Cabrera Quintero, two daughters, Mónica Luz and María Celeste Morales Cabrera, and two grandchildren. The family has received numerous expressions of affection from the wrestling community and the residents of Tinajo.
Next weekend, the Tinajo Wrestling Club plans to pay tribute to him at the municipal wrestling arena, where his figure will be remembered with a minute of silence before the matches. Fans who wish to join can do so by attending the event, which will start at 8:00 PM on Saturday.
